Week Five
Regina paced in the forest clearing with tears of frustration springing in her eyes.
"He's trying to completely screw me over and keep my babies away from me, I don't deserve this Emma, I don't" she sobbed.
"No baby, of course you don't" Emma spoke softly stepping into her path and placing gentle hands-on top of Regina's shoulders forcing the brunette to stop in her tracks.
"We won't let him take your babies" she murmured "We won't, as long as I live and breathe, we won't let him" Emma repeated with more conviction than before at the less than convinced look that she found reflected at her in Regina's eyes.
"We'll find more proof and we'll stop the bastard, okay?" she said still peering into Regina's eyes and watching as she sighed and nodded.
"Okay" Regina whispered back taking a deep steadying breath and then Emma heart breaking at the sorrow that still marred her features found herself leaning in as though drawn by magnets to claim Regina's lips with her own and she was met with no resistant as Regina's lips willingly melted into her own.
The kiss lingered on for a few seconds before Emma reluctantly pulled to move away, Regina feeling the pull and suddenly finding that she couldn't let go threw her arms around Emma's neck and held her closer, her hand reaching up to release messy blonde curls from the confines of their hair tie. Regina had always loved Emma's wild mane and running her fingers though it as she deepened the kiss felt better than she could ever have imagined.
Emma who felt like an explosion of a thousand fireworks were going off inside of her body igniting parts of herself that she didn't know existed before this day wrapped her own arms around the brunettes slender waist and pulled her closer still so that their bodies were flush when she leaned even deeper into the kiss, her lips parted, and her adventurous tongue snuck out between them running itself across Regina's plump lower lip.
The brunette let out a guttural moan that did all kinds of wonderful things to Emma's insides and parted her own lips to permit the blondes exploring muscle entry.
Seconds later their tongues were lashing together in their desperation not to miss a single taste or sensation of the other woman's mouth because neither of them knew when they would next get to share a moment like this.
Finally as the need for oxygen won out, the two women fell apart gasping for air, both with kiss swollen lips, both knowing that they shouldn't have allowed that to happen but neither quite managing to bring themselves to say so out loud or regret it in the slightest because it was the best kiss that either of them had experienced, so full of love, passion and desire that it made Regina wonder what further intimacy with Emma would be like.
But she had to stop her mind from wandering right then and there as much as she couldn't regret the kiss, she also couldn't afford to let things go any further, not yet, and it would have been all too easy to give in, because in that moment she felt like a horny teenager but she wasn't one and there was far too much at stake to risk a full blown affair, even kissing should have been strictly off bounds but my god did it feel good and she had never wanted more so badly in her life, but she wasn't a horny teenager, she was a grown woman who needed to keep her hormones under control, at least for the time being.
"That was" she breathed but seemed unable to put what she was currently feeling into words.
"I know" Emma replied seemingly having the same problem.
"But it can't happen again" Regina said a pained look in her eye.
"I know that too" Emma sighed pushing her hair back with one hand and bending to pick up her hair tie from the floor where Regina had dropped it so that she could secure her hair back into place ready for the remainder of their run.
"But I won't apologize for it, or for loving and wanting you more than I've ever loved or wanted anybody else before in my life" Emma added, her eyes wide and imploring as she waited on bated breath for Regina's response.
"And I'd never ask you to sweetheart" Regina smiled moving to push a stray hair behind the blonde's ear and pausing to caress her cheek before she leaned in to plant a chaste kiss on her lips.
"And for the record" she said as she moved back and let her hand drop from Emma's face her brown eyes never leaving green as she continued to speak "I love you too Emma and know that I'm all yours and only yours, I may share a bed with that disgusting man for the time being but no part of me is his and no part ever will be again."
Emma's face broke into a beautiful smile so radiant, that being on the receiving end of it caused a light blush to rise in Regina's cheek.
"You're cute when you blush" Emma murmured, and the rouge of Regina's cheeks only deepened. "I wish that we could just stay here in this bubble forever" she added wistfully as she linked her fingers through Regina's.
"Forever hasn't begun for us yet my love" Regina smiled a little sadly "But I promise you that it will soon" she said and Emma nodded in response before her eyes fell onto their joined hands where she saw the face of Regina's smart watch light up.
"Shit" she cursed "there's never enough time is there?" she scowled, and a chuckling Regina shook her head no.
"we've been here for too long already, and we both need to get to work soon" Emma sighed and reluctantly released Regina's hand so that they could resume their run back to the Locksley Mansion.
Regina rushed through her shower, checked Roland's windows for at least the third time that morning then kissing her boy's goodbye she slid into the driver's seat of her Mercedes and headed to work.
Mary-Margret befriending her had apparently paved the way for others to do the same and though she occasionally longed for the sanctuary and peace that being alone bought her, she couldn't deny that her positive interactions with her colleagues were making work a lot more bearable.
Finally feeling welcome made walking through the building and using the communal areas so much easier and as a result she felt able to move around more freely and less like she needed to seclude herself, the time passed quicker and she was heading home again with an overly chipper Mary-Margret waving her off before she knew it.
Monday and Tuesday evening Robin returned home so late that Regina was already long asleep when she was disturbed by his body falling into the bed next to her, but Wednesday he surprised her by already being at home when she got back with an announcement for the whole family.
"I want to go to the Lake House this weekend" he told them and the boys who always loved it by the lake whooped and cheered with delight.
"You do?" Regina asked feeling a little off guard by this sudden announcement.
"Yes, I do my darling" Robin smiled moving to taking her hands in his so that she had to both suppress a shudder and divert her eyes from Zelena who was staring daggers at Robins somewhat intimate show of affection towards his wife.
"I thought that we could get it ready to stay in over the summer, just me, you, the boys and Zelena" he said.
"What about Emma?" Regina immediately asked.
"What about her?" Robin frowned knowing exactly where this was going but forcing Regina to say it anyway.
"Well, we should invite her too" Regina replied adamantly.
"Come now darling, this is a family holiday and Emma's not family, is she?"
"And Zelena is, I suppose?" Regina retorted.
"Of course, not darling, but she is the boys Nanny isn't she?" Robin pointed out.
"Okay but why do we need a Nanny when we're all going to be together the whole time, Zelena could take some time off for herself while we're away heaven knows it won't happen often."
She watched through slightly narrowed eyes as Robin closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with his fingers and thumb, then realising that he couldn't win this argument and would have to compromise with his wife if he wanted his lover to join them on their summer vacation Robin sighed, lowered his hand and looked Regina straight in the eye.
"I don't want to fall out over this darling so if it means that much to you then by all means invite your precious Emma along for our vacation, I'm sure that she has to work anyway but if she can spare us a couple of weeks of her time, I'm sure that Henry would appreciate it" he simpered.
"I'm sure that he would, as would I" Regina replied with a satisfied nod, "So what are the plans for this weekend?" she asked.
"I thought we'd drive up Friday afternoon, spend the night there and see what needs doing to get the place ready for the summer, we haven't been up there for a few years so there might be some outstanding repairs that need completing before we can spend weeks living there. The pool should be fine though because I've been paying to keep that maintained" he shrugged then smiled when the boy's cheers renewed.
"Sounds good to me" Regina smiled at her children's lively antics, "I'll start packing tomorrow, did you want me to pack some things for you too?" she asked Robin.
"If you would, I'm working late again tomorrow, but Friday I'm going to get off early and we can head out as soon as I get home".
Regina just nodded and smiled and pleased to hear that she shouldn't expect her husband home early again the next day she moved to engage with her excited boys who were still cheering about the weekend.
The following morning Regina was reaching for her water bottle ahead of her morning run when Zelena approached her with an offer.
"I was going to pack for the weekend today, but I could always put a few things in a bag for the boys after I'm done if you like, it will save you messing about after work" she smiled, and Regina forced herself to smile back.
"Thank-you Zelena that's very kind of you but I'd rather do it myself if it's all the same to you" she continued to smile sweetly even as acid began to rise in her throat.
"Okay, suit yourself" Zelena shrugged apparently entirely unfazed, Regina nodded and headed out to meet Emma on the drive.
"Weird that he suddenly wants to go back there after all that time" Emma said when Regina told her of her weekend arrangements, Emma had spent many a holiday at the lake house with them in the past and knew well how long it had been since they'd been there.
"Yes, and I'm sure that he'll find a way to blame me and my illness for being the reason that we haven't visited there for so long" Regina sighed.
"Wouldn't surprise me" Emma agreed "and if he does, you'll just ignore him because he's nothing but a nasty bastard whose hell bent and driving you nuts" Emma said, and Regina couldn't help but chuckle at her.
"You certainly have a way with words my love" she smiled shaking her head a little in her amusement.
"Hey maybe we could go away together this summer, just us and the boys if Robins out of your hair by then of course" Emma grinned stopping in front of Regina, pulled her towards her by her waist and nuzzled their noses together affectionally.
Regina just stood and enjoyed the closeness for a minute, allowing herself to pause and inhale Emma's heady scent oh how she lived for these stolen moments in the woods away from prying eyes, just her and Emma in their impenetrable bubble.
"God, I hope I am free of him by then" she groaned her hot breath caressing Emma's face.
"Even if you aren't we'll still have plenty of summers to be together after you are" Emma promised swaying a little with her arms still fastened around Regina's waist as she spoke.
"Yes, we will, won't we" Regina smiled brightening up a bit and dropping a peck on Emma's lips before she moved out of her embrace.
"And then who knows, maybe we'll finally have enough time" she sighed raising her wrist to show Emma that it was time for them to be heading back.
"No amount of time with you could ever be enough" Emma called after Regina as the reluctant brunette took off at jogging pace, then she too ran to catch up.
Her conversations flowed easily at work because she had the news of her weekend plans to share.
"You're so lucky to have a lake house" Mary-Margret gushed "little Neal would love something like that" she said referring to her young son "But David and I could never afford it on our wages" she sighed.
"Well maybe we could rent it out to you for a holiday somewhen" Regina offered.
"I doubt that we could even afford that" Mary-Margret frowned sadly.
"Nonsense, you're a friend Mary-Margret so you'd only have to pay utilities and supply your own necessities" Regina assured her friend.
"No, I couldn't ask that of you, it's far too generous" Mary-Margret replied.
"You aren't asking though are you, I'm offering" Regina insisted with a smile "I'd have to run it past my husband first of course but I'm sure that he will be fine with it" Regina's smile broadened at the excitement that now lit up the pixie brunettes' features.
Regina knew full well that Robin being the selfish self-cantered jerk that he was wouldn't be okay with it in the slightest, but she also knew that for appearances sake he wouldn't be able to refuse her suggestion because he didn't want anybody else knowing what a selfish self-centred jerk he was and that thought made her smile all the more.
By the time she arrived home that evening, Zelena had already dished up the dinner for the boys and extended an offer to dish Regina up a plate too but since the drugging incident and after everything that she had overheard between the red head and Robin, Regina no longer trusted anything that either of them had touched prior to offering it to her, she didn't believe her boys to be in danger from them but she couldn't say the same for herself.
"I think I'm going to pack now and grab something to eat later" Regina smiled backing away from the kitchen.
"I said you should have let me pack the boy's things for you" Zelena called after her.
"And I said that I wanted to do it myself" Regina retorted moving closer to the stairs.
Regina went into Henry's first and packed a couple of changes of clothing, swimwear, and pyjamas into his rucksack before she moved into the hallway to add a towel from the airing cupboard.
Next, she ventured into the family bathroom where she packed a wash bag each for her boys popping Henry's into the top of his rucksack and zipping it closed, then leaving it in her own room she moved to Roland's room where she found the little boy standing on the other side of the room making a dinosaur walk across his windowsill.
"Roland come away from there!" she shouted starling the boy, but she could hardly even register the fact that he had jumped so violently that he dropped his dinosaur on the floor because fear suddenly had a vice grip on her heart.
She raced towards her boy, eyes frantically scanning the window and hands reaching out of their own accord to test the locks.
"What's wrong mummy?" Roland asked in a much smaller voice than was normal, a concerned frown forming as he stood from picking his dropped toy up from the ground and met his mother's frantic eyes.
"I'm so sorry Roland" Regina felt a pang of regret in her heart, she had completely overreacted and scared her little boy in the process, and she knew it "I didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to keep you safe that's all" she said taking a couple of steps backwards and slumping onto the end of the child's bed her eyes never leaving his frightened face.
"But you always keep me safe mummy" Roland replied, and little brow furrowed in confusion he took a few steps closer to his mom.
"But I didn't do a very good job when you fell did I?" Regina sniffed and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill over.
"Yes, you did" the little boy argued.
"Oh, how I wish that were true my little prince" Regina sighed and wrapped her arms around him pulling him into her embrace.
"But it is true" Roland mumbled into her ear, "You do always keep me safe".
Regina smiled at that he really didn't understand that she might be responsible for his fall, he would probably work it out one day and she would never lie to him about it, but for now she was just happy to still be viewed as his protector whom he was always safe with.
"Like when I was sick, and you made sure the windows stayed stuck so I wouldn't fall" Roland continued.
"But they weren't stuck were they my darling" Regina smiled sadly as she leaned out their embrace to look into her young son's face "They opened too wide, and you fell remember?" she asked.
"Yes" Roland nodded, "because Daddy unstucked them" he stated solemnly.
"Daddy unstuck them" Regina corrected before she had fully comprehended what her son had just told her, "Wait, what did you say?" she asked stunned by this latest revelation.
"Daddy unstuck them" the boy repeated, "after you went to work mummy. Daddy came home again, and he came in here to see me when I was sleeping. I waked up a bit when he put his hand on my head and told Aunty Zee that I was cold, so he should shut the window".
"He did" Regina replied, "and that what did he do?" she asked.
"He went to the window and unstucked them" Roland said, and this time Regina didn't even bother to correct him.
"Then Aunty Zee said something, I couldn't hear it, but it made Daddy laugh" the boy frowned as he fought to remember the rest, "then he left with her and forgot to shut the window, but it was only an accident and I'm okay now" he smiled broadly at Regina.
"Where was Daddy when you wanted to close the window?" Regina asked.
"Taking a nap" Roland replied promptly, "I know that because your bedroom door was locked and it's only ever locked when you're taking a nap together" he nodded proudly.
Regina's eyes widened with realisation, that door hadn't been locked for her and Robin for a long time but when it had been it hadn't truly been for a nap like Roland had been led to believe but she needed confirmation of her suspicion, so she asked a final question.
"That's right Roland well remembered" she smiled sweetly at him, "What about aunty Zee, couldn't she have helped you?" she asked.
"I couldn't find her" Roland replied "I looked I really did mumma, but I was so tired and my throat hurt so much, I wanted to go back to bed but it was too cold in there so I used my stool to help me reach and then I fell…" he trailed up beginning to look visibly upset now and Regina squeezed him close again not wanting for him to her own tears beginning to fall.
"Oh, Roland you wonderful, wonderful boy, none of this is your fault sweetheart" she murmured her voice hoarse with raw emotion. She knew the truth now, Roland had never been in the car when she crashed her car, he was as she had always believed him to have been safely with his father that day and she hadn't been to blame for Roland's fall either, it had been Robin and Zelena who were to blame, too caught up in their sordid little affair to remember to close the window.
To know that it wasn't her fault was an immense relief but there were only three witnesses to the incident, Robin and Zelena who were the parties at fault and a five year old sick child, burning a fever at the time and whom she could never put before a court to be torn apart by any lawyer let alone one that was also his father and make no mistake Robin would tear his own little boy apart on the stand without batting an eyelid, he took no prisoners and he always strove to win and this would be no different, so Regina wouldn't bring Roland into it to begin with, she just had to be satisfied with knowing that she hadn't done anything wrong, that she hadn't been to blame but that wouldn't help her to prove Robins guilt, she'd have to find another way to do that.
Regina pulled herself together enough to be able to release her son, looking away quickly to wipe her eyes while Roland moved to sit on the floor where the rest of his dinosaurs were currently scattered and resume his game while his mother moved around him packing things that he would need for their night away, then leaving him to it she moved into hers and Robins room methodically packing until four full bags were lined up against the wall closest to the bedroom door.
From there she grabbed her phone and headed for the guest room that she had used the week before, locking the door behind her and closing the vent before she dialled Emma's number.
"See I told you that this wasn't your fault, I bloody knew it wasn't" Emma replied as soon as Regina had finished recounting what Roland had just told her. "All this time he's trying to make you feel responsible and it was him that put Roland in danger because he was too busy banging his mistress in your bed to worry about his own son's safety" Emma ranted.
"I know" Regina sighed "But as happy as I am to have confirmation that Roland's accident wasn't my fault it's still more information that I can't use to evidence his abuse or neglect in court, I just couldn't put Roland through that, not after everything that he's already been through" she said.
"I know and I understand, I do" Emma sighed "but I'm still frustrated about it".
"As am I" Regina replied "But I do have an idea that might just work" she added.
"I'm listening" Emma smiled.
"It'll mean asking you another favour" Regina admitted "and I know that I've asked more than enough of you already, but there's nobody else I can trust with this and I don't know how I would do it without you."
"It's okay Regina, whatever is just tell me and I'll do it".
"Great" Regina grinned "I knew I could rely on you Emma, unfortunately it's going to cost you again but I swear that it'll get it all back to you as soon as can with interest, at the moment all my money is tied into joint accounts with Robin's, he did that to ensure that I couldn't spend a penny without him finding out, the only reason that he didn't know that I had purchased the car until he saw it on the drive was because he hadn't yet checked our accounts that day" she sighed.
"It's fine Regina, you don't have to explain just tell me what you need me to do."
Emma didn't run with Regina the following morning, she had had taken a sick day off of work to give her the time that she needed to make the necessary preparations to carry out Regina's request that night and in the interest of keeping up appearances to prevent arousing Robin's suspicious if he were to discover that she had called in sick today because the man seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere, Emma and Regina had decided that she shouldn't accompany Regina on her run that morning so she had gone alone while Emma had risen extra early and begun her journey out of town so that her bug wouldn't be spotted during that mornings commute.
After a much shorter jog than normal Regina returned to shower and change before her workday began.
It was just past midday when Emma called, Regina answered the call on the third ring.
"I've got what I need" Emma greeted.
"Brilliant" Regina smiled "And I've put the key where we discussed, Robin said he's finishing work early so we can head straight out, it's less than two hours from here but he wants to get there as early as possible and make a start" Regina explained "I'll send you a message when we get there, by then there won't be any chance of us suddenly returning for anything".
"Got it" Emma replied, "And I'll message you when I'm done" she added.
"I really can't thank you enough for doing this for me Emma" Regina said, "You're literally helping me get my life back and that means more than you'll ever know".
"It's really no problem Regina" Emma assured her "I'm happy to help, anyway I should probably go, I've a bit of drive ahead of me".
"Okay, I'll try and call you tomorrow" Regina replied and then the women said their goodbyes and Regina went to get her lunch while Emma prepared to drive back home.
For the second time that week Robin was already home when Regina got back and he was hyping the boys up with promises of adventures that they would have when they got to their lake house, more than half of which Regina knew that they'd never have time to do on this short trips so she hoped that Roland and Henry wouldn't be to disappointed when they only got to do a fraction of what Robin was promising or that they didn't have to miss anything that either of them really had their hearts set on, Robin really was an idiot at times.
"Don't get them too excited darling" Regina told him as she walked into a lot of excited noise "remember they still have a two-hour car ride ahead of them yet."
"Their okay Regina, just let them have their fun."
"Okay" Regina shrugged knowing full well that Robin would be yelling at them under ten minutes into the journey if they didn't calm down significantly before they got into the car.
And just as she suspected they had barely left the drive when Robin was bellowing at the boys.
"Will you pipe down; I need to concentrate!" he yelled.
"I did try to warn you dear" Regina said from the front passenger seat.
"And you can shut up too" Robin retorted.
Regina wanted to say something back, but it wasn't worth the argument, so she bit her tongue and watched the world go by outside instead.
She, Robin, Roland, and Henry were travelling in Robins car with Zelena following closely behind in her own garishly green vehicle.
They made it to the house in good time and Regina showed Zelena to her room for the night before she ventured upstairs to sort out the boy's rooms and once she was in the first one she took her phone from her pocket and text Emma.
R: Feeling any better? Xx.
She sent the agreed message that would alert Emma that they had arrived without arousing the suspicions of anybody else who might read her messages later. Emma who had been waiting for the message replied quickly.
E: I am actually, how was your journey? Xx
R: that's good to hear and it was fine we just arrived xx
E: I hope you have a lovely time x
Emma pocketed her phone before anymore messages could come through, took her keys, and headed for her car which still contained all of her purchases from earlier that day.
Ten minutes later she parked a couple of streets over from the Locksley's house, took her bags from the car and walked the rest of the way, she discarded her bags next to the front door and dug around inside the nearest plant pot until her hand closed around metal and she pulled out the keys that Regina had hidden within for her.
Then after double checking the alarms code that Regina had told her over the phone and had her write down because she didn't want to risk sending it in a text, Emma unlocked the front door and hurried across the threshold to shut down the alarm before it could sound, returning seconds later to collect her bags.
Once inside Emma wasted no time emptying the contents of her bags onto the kitchen unit, opening each box that had be poured out in turn and setting up the tiny devices that lay with each one, then she went from room to room hiding the tiny camera's inside of smoke alarms and vents throughout the house, she avoided private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms because as nice as it would have been to catch Robin in the act of cheating with Zelena behind the doors of one of those rooms she knew that there were laws against that kind of things and they wouldn't be able to use any footage caught in those rooms in court and it may even jeopardize their ability to use any other footage recorded if they were found to have obtained any other footage illegally.
But communal spaces were fair game, so Emma had them dotted throughout hallways, the kitchen, lounge and anywhere else considered communal until she had run out of devices to hide and then she finished off by logging into the app that would allow her to view the footage at any time to check that each device was live and working and after a final walk around the house checking that no device or light from one was visible to anyone looking in their direction Emma moved back to the front door, resetting the alarm and locking the door before she buried the keys back in the pot, tucked the paper with the alarms code on into her pocket just in case she ever needed it again and headed back to her car carrying slightly lighter bags now filled with empty boxes as she went.
She was back at home when she sent Regina the confirmation text that the job was done.
E: headache came back so I had to take some medicine, I'm really sleepy now and heading to bed, hope you sleep well at the lake house and have a lovely day tomorrow xx
R: I'm sorry you're head hurts but glad you've had your medicine and I hope you sleep well too, let me know if you're still poorly when I get home and I'll fetch you anything you need xx
E: thanks Regina you're a true friend, night xx
R: Night Emma xx.
Regina smiled as she dropped her phone into her pocket knowing that the job was done, soon she'd have the definitive evidence that she needed, and she would finally be able to get the indisputable proof that she needed to get Robin the hell out of her life once and for all without the risk of losing her boys.
"What's made you so happy" Robin grunted from the chair across the room, he had insisted on uncovering all the furniture in the house and had already started a list of things that he wanted to see fixed, replaced or refurbished.
"Nothing in particular, I just enjoy the ambience in this place" Regina shrugged.
"Whatever" Robin grumbled "I'm going to bed, are you coming?"
"No, I think I'd rather enjoy a little extra time to soak up the atmosphere, you go though I won't be long."
Robin grunted something indecipherable and headed up the stairs and once she thought that it was safe to assume that he was sleeping Regina followed him up.
A smile played across her lips as Regina woke in the morning to the sound of her children's laughter, she stretched and opened her eyes to see that it was a little after nine, the laughter continued to filter up through the small window that she had left open the night before causing her smile to grow, then she heard a splash and sudden cold dread robbed her of her brief happiness.
Throwing back the blankets Regina raced to the window heart hammering because her children were in the pool.
Reaching the window in record time she looked out and breathed a sigh of relief, they were in the pool but so was Robin, she was about to move away from the window and get herself dressed for the day when Zelena suddenly joined the trio in the pool area with two drinks in hand.
So, she was up too then, Regina thought wondering how long for as she continued to watch the redhead move towards the sunbed closest to where Robin currently swam holding one of the glasses that she carried to show him.
Robin smiled then swam closer to Zelena and lifted himself up onto the side of the pool and walked over to the sunbed next to hers, taking his drink from her as he passed and pausing to look Zelena in the eye for a little too long for it to be considered entirely platonic.
Then he settled into the sunbed beside hers, lying on top of a towel that he had placed there earlier, droplets of water on his body glistened in the morning sunlight and as Regina continued to watch the scene below her unfold, Zelena turned to lie on her side to face Robin, giving him flirty looks, reaching out to touch his arm too often and sucking her straw in seductive manner all while the boys played innocently in the water nearby.
Regina eyes quickly found her boys again where they played in the shallows apparently oblivious to the fact that their nanny was flirting shamelessly with their father who was lapping it up, all while they thought that their mother was still sleeping inside.
Disgusted, Regina moved away from the window and put on a simple sun dress before she headed out of her room and made her way towards the pool, making a stop in the kitchen to pour herself a coffee on the way.
The second that she stepped into view Zelena moved looking towards her instead to say good morning and her whole demeanour changed completely.
"Morning" Regina replied taking a seat close to her boys "Having fun" she grinned at them.
"You should get in with us mom" Henry nodded enthusiastically back.
"Maybe later sweetheart" Regina replied not really feeling like a swim right.
"Please mommy" Roland pleaded.
"I said later cheeky boy" Regina chuckled.
"But mom we have to go home later" Henry pointed out a pleading look appearing in his eyes now and Regina of course was powerless to refuse them.
"I'll tell you what, let me finish my coffee and then I'll get my swimming costume on".
"Yes!" both boys cheered together making her chuckle again.
"You're too soft on them Regina" Robin called from his seat beside Zelena.
"That may be so" Regina shrugged "but they're only little once and I don't intend to miss a second of it" she said taking a sip from her cup.
The swim as it turned out was just what she had needed and Regina got out of the water feeling completely refreshed and ready to face her day which consisted mostly of moving from room to room and then around the grounds while Robin assessed what needed to be done and had her add it to his seemingly never ending list of things that needed doing.
Then he joined Zelena in the kitchen to make dinner before they would head back home, while Regina settled into one of the sofas in the seating area nearby, this whole area of house was open planned so she could see and hear everything that Robin and Zelena were doing and saying nearby even as her children sat and played computer games on the tv that was set up on the other side of the room, Robin and Zelena apparently seemed to have forgotten that though.
Because again they resumed with their openly flirtatious behaviour and while they thought that Regina was absorbed in her book she was peering over the top of its pages never missing a look between them, a flirty smile here, a tucking of red hair behind pale ears and a flutter of eyelashes there, the brief and gentle caress of a bicep, too many giggles over nothing particularly funny, small pale hands being placed over the top of larger tanned ones guiding them in using the knife to chop vegetables, though Regina knew it entirely unnecessary because one of his better points was that Robin could cook or at least he was a great cook when the mood suited which wasn't all that often of late.
The whole performance in the kitchen was slightest sickening, but though Regina wished that she could erase it all from her mind she also couldn't tear her eyes away and make herself stop watching either so she was relieved when they finally put some distance between each other to announce that dinner was ready.
Pretending not to have noticed anything Regina inserted her bookmark and closed her book placing it on the coffee table in front of her before rounding the boys up so that they could settle in their places at the table where Robin had placed the wok with the stir fry that he and Zelena had just made in the centre of the table along with a few other dishes each holding its own serving spoons and because this was a meal that they would all be taking from the same source Regina knew that she could actually trust it for a change.
"I've decided to stay here another night" Robin announced as they ate "But you and the boys should head home."
"But why?" Regina asked perplexed but not exactly disappointed by the news, a night at home without Robin would be a dream come true right now.
"I didn't get as much as I'd hoped done today, so I want to finish tomorrow" he answered simply and Regina just shrugged in response.
"Zelena" Robin addressed their nanny "I know it's your day off and you've already done overtime just by being here today so this will be a big ask but if we were to add a little bonus onto your pay today do you think you could drop my family home before you go off to do whatever it is that you do with your free time?" he smiled.
"Of course, Mr Locksley" Zelena replied and Regina almost rolled her eyes at the falseness of it all.
"Great, thank-you Zelena" Robin smiled at her then turned to Regina "You should pack up after dinner and head out before it gets too late" he said.
"Already done" Regina who had packed everything up before she had settled in the lounge area with her book informed him and he nodded his approval without speaking in response.
Robin waved them off at the door as Zelena guided the car up onto the main road. The journey home was an uncomfortable one, not that Regina let on as an overly chipper Zelena chatted non-stop and the boys slumbered in the back seat so it came as a huge relief when they finally pulled up at the house and Zelena let them all out before she headed off again.
Regina watched her heading back in the direction that they had just come from and would have put money on it that she was heading straight back to Robin to warm his bed for the night and not into town to have a few drinks in The Rabbit Hole then crash at Grannies as she had claimed.
But Regina found that she really couldn't care a less as she pulled out her phone with a smile on her face and dialled Emma's number.
"Would you like to come over and stay for the night?" she asked as soon as the blonde answered.
"Really?" Emma all but squealed from the other end of the phone "but what about Robin and Zelena?" she asked.
"Robin decided to stay at the lake house again tonight, he reckons that he has more to do there" Regina said in a tone that told Emma that she didn't believe the man for a second and Emma couldn't blame her for her distrust of the man.
"And Zelena?" Emma asked.
"It's her night off, she says that she's going for some drinks then crashing at Grannies but I be willing to bet that she's really on her way back to the lake house to be with my cheating bastard of a husband" she laughed sharply at that before adding in much softer tones that sent tingles through Emma's body, "so what do you say sleep over like old times?" Regina chortled as Emma readily accepted the invitation.
"I'll be there in ten" she replied eagerly "Oh and I have some news for you" she added mysteriously, I won't be long, so I'll just tell you when I get there."
"Okay" Regina couldn't help but smile into the phone though she knew that Emma couldn't see her "Oh and Emma" she murmured, "I love you." Emma's heart skipped a beat as she heard the words that Regina had been desperate to say to her filter through the earpiece of her phone.
"I love you too Regina" she replied without a second's hesitation.
Emma pulled up on the Locksleys drive almost twenty minutes later, she took her rucksack from the passenger seat of her bug and hurried to the front door just as Regina who had seen her approach from within opened the door to greet her.
"Hey, there" Emma grinned.
"Hey yourself" Regina smiled back, moving to let Emma pass through the door, "You can put your bag up in the usually room if you like" she invited as she closed the door behind her.
"Not before I've done this" Emma replied, and Regina turned to see her standing nearby with her bag at her feet and her arms open waiting to receive Regina who immediately rushed into their embrace enjoying the warmth and safety of it.
"I've missed you" Emma murmured into Regina's hair and the brunette only squeezed harder.
"Aunty Ma" Roland shouted excitedly as he rounded the corner and spotted Emma with his mother.
Emma chuckled at the cute nickname that Roland had started using for her after Henry had chosen to started calling her Ma. He didn't fully understand the ins and outs of everything the way that Henry did and had just thought the name to be a shortened version of Emma's name, Robin of course hated the idea of Henry addressing Emma that way but Regina had quickly pointed out that if anybody should have been put out by it, it was her and she wasn't in the slightest bit bothered by it so he shouldn't be either.
"Hey there Roly" Emma addressed the boy releasing Regina and turning to crouch at his level, "Did you have a lovely time at the Lakehouse?"
Roland nodded vigorously, "It was brilliant" he enthused eyes wide as saucers "I like the pool best."
"Sounds fun" Emma smiled "Maybe I can swim with you when I come for a visit in the holidays."
"You're really coming Ma?" Henry asked as he entered the entrance hall behind his brother.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world kid" Emma replied rising to meet Henrys eyes, "As long as it's okay for you that I come of course" she added, concerned as always to know Henry's feelings on the subject.
"Are you kidding, that's more than okay with me, it's awesome, are you staying with us the whole time?" he asked face aglow with excitement.
"I wish kid" Emma sighed, and she meant it "But I won't be able to get that long off of work, so I'll only be able to stay for two weeks."
"And I'm sure that it'll be the best two weeks of the holiday" Regina interjected with a broad grin of her own "Now come on let's get Emma in properly and then we can all have hot chocolate before bed."
"Yes" both boys cheered and hurried off to the kitchen.
A few minutes later Regina was placing cups of chocolatey goodness in front of each of her three favourite people in the world and finally one in front of herself as she settled in her seat and soaked in the happy domesticated bliss that surrounded her, this was everything she had ever wanted she thought as her eyes moved from her boys to meet sparkling seas of green framed by wild blonde curls, this was happiness.
Cups empty and stomach sated Regina and Emma led the boys up to bed, together, each of them taking turns to tuck them in and wish them sweet dreams with delicate kisses dropped on their foreheads, both were so tired that neither of them argued for a change.
"Do you want to pick the movie?" Regina asked Emma as they settled together on the settee a short while later.
"I'd like that" Emma smiled "But first I really have to tell you something" she said looking Regina in the eye.
"Oh, yes your news, nothing too serious I hope" Regina smiled back, and Emma wished more than anything that she didn't have to burst the brunettes bubble and be the one to wipe that smile from her lips but she didn't have a choice she had to tell her.
"It is pretty serious actually" Emma said sadly "I got the results from the water test today".
And that did it, Regina smile dropped even quicker than it had appeared, and her heart began to race with anxious anticipation.
"And?" she pressed "what was in it."
"Well, there was water and lemon juice" Emma said subconsciously trying to stall the moment that she would have to break the next news to the woman that she loved.
"Yes, I guessed that already" Regina replied patiently as she realised that Emma was struggling.
"And there was also a huge dose of your sleeping tablets, honestly Regina it was enough to have killed you if you had drunk that whole bottle".
Regina just gaped as she continued to try to process what Emma was telling her.
"And there was other thing found in there, traces of Rohypnol, my guess is that he wanted something extra in there to ensure that you fell asleep quickly" she added.
"Well, I understand how he got the sleeping tablets, I always have a supply of them, he must have taken them out of my new bottle which is why I haven't noticed them missing yet. But Rohypnol? Where in the holy hell did, he get that from? I mean does he have a supply of the stuff lying around the house? And why? What for? I mean drugging me when he did was an opportunist move, there was no prior plan to do it, of that I'm certain, so if he didn't buy this stuff with that in mind, then what was doing with it readily available in the house?"
"You're asking the wrong person babe" Emma sighed "I have no idea how that sickos mind works or what he's doing with drugs like that in the house, but I do think that you have to be careful Regina, he's seriously lost it and he's dangerous."
"Don't worry I have been being careful, you don't have to tell me how dangerous he is" Regina shuddered, "God I hope that the camera's you put up catch something good soon so I can get a divorce already, where are they by the way?" Regina asked.
"What the cameras?" Emma replied and Regina nodded, "Here let me show you" Emma smiled taking out her phone to show Regina the app that controlled them. "They're off right now, I just thought it was pointless and a waste of battery to have them on for more than a day when neither Robin or Zelena are actually here" she explained "But if I press this" she tapped the image of a red circle on the touch screen of her phone and the previously black screen flared to life showing Emma and Regina sitting together on the couch and then Emma began to scroll through the camera's until Regina had seen the view of every single one of them.
"Brilliant" Regina smiled "And are they recording now?" she asked.
"No" Emma smiled back "I'd have to hit the record button for that to happen".
"Good" Regina's grin suddenly turned mischievous "because that means that they won't be capturing this" she breathed pulling Emma into a searing kiss.
"Wow" Emma smiled when they pulled apart "You are amazing Regina Mills do you realize that".
"Mills?" Regina asked immediately noticing the use of her maiden name, a name that she had told Emma about but stopped using well before Emma had come onto the scene mostly because Robin had insisted that she take his name when they married, and she hadn't been in a place to argue against it at the time.
"Yeah well, I figured you wouldn't be keeping his name once you're divorced so you'll be using Mills again soon and rightly so, it suits you so much better than Locksley" Emma laughed, and Regina's eyes glittered with further mischief.
"As would Swan" she winked suggestively at Emma.
"Nah if we got married, we'd definitely have to go for Swan-Mills" Emma smiled pulling Regina in close beside her so that could sit and cuddle while she flicked through the channels until she found something for them to watch.
"So, you've thought about it then" Regina teased as she snuggled her cheek into its newfound position resting on Emma's chest where she could her the blonde's heartbeat and right now it was quickening slightly.
"Maybe but just a little" Emma defended her cheeks suddenly aflame with a red glow and then she spoke no more, settling for a movie that was twenty minutes in and squeezed Regina closer as they sat and watched together until the credits rolled.
"Time for bed" Emma yawned and stretched as she stood with Regina still sat beside her.
Regina nodded her agreement, pointed the remote at the TV to turn it off then got up to follow Emma up the stairs.
"Uh I guess this is goodnight then?" Emma mumbled rubbing the back of her neck a little awkwardly as they stood at the top of the stairs together a few minutes later.
"I guess it is" Regina smiled leaning up to plant a feather light kiss on Emma's lips before pulling away to walk down the hallway to get what she needed to get ready for bed because no way, was she staying in her marital bed when Robin wasn't even here to keep up appearances for.
"Night Regina" Emma murmured as she watched her retreat further into the bowels of the house then turned to walked towards her own room.
"Emma" Regina's voice called softly after her causing her to pause and look back at the brunette who was looking a little wistfully at her.
Emma smiled a gentle, encouraging smile, but she didn't speak, choosing instead to wait for Regina to finishing saying whatever it was that she had stopped her to say first.
"I just wondered…" Regina met Emma's eyes with her own and trailed off seemingly losing her confidence.
"You just wondered what?" Emma prompted gently and watched as a clearly nervous Regina took a deep breath and swallowed before she continued.
"I was just wondering if I might be able to stay with you tonight" she murmured and colour suddenly flooding her cheeks she dropped her eyes to look at her feet. She didn't hear or see Emma move but the next thing that Regina knew was the blondes gentle hand cupping her chin and lifting her face until their eyes met again.
"Regina" Emma smiled and lovingly reached out with her other hand to tuck stray brunette hairs behind Regina's ear. "You're always welcome to stay with me, anytime you want, my bed is your bed, why were you so embarrassed to ask?" Emma's asked, and Regina's blush deepened.
"It's more that I started to think that it was unfair of me to ask" Regina spoke barely above a whisper, "I mean nothings really changed, we keep sharing these wonderful all be it inadvisable kisses" she chuckled a velvety rich sound that made Emma go weak at the knees, "But I'm still married" Regina sighed regretfully "So I still can't give you everything the way I want to, it's so damn frustrating but I can't, not until I can get that divorce, if I did I wouldn't be any better than him and what we have Emma, it means so much more to me than to start it as a full blown sordid affair".
"You don't have to explain, I get it, I really do, and I'll wait as long as you need me to, do I want you in every way imaginable? Hell yeah" she laughed.
"But I'm not a hormonal teenager Regina" she said almost making Regina chuckle as she thought about her own similar thoughts earlier that week. "and I like to think that I've matured at least a little since I was seventeen and making some of the most reckless decisions of my life one of which led me to ending up pregnant which transpired to be one of the best things that ever happened to me, because it bought us Henry and It bought me to you Regina and I love you more than you could ever know, you're so worth the wait but for you information you could never be anything like that asshole and nothing between us could ever be considered sordid okay" she smiled and Regina chuckled again a sound that was like music to Emma's ears.
"Now what are you waiting for, go grab your stuff and meet me in our room as soon as you're ready" Emma instructed dropping a gentle kiss on Regina's forehead and moving to separate from her embrace so that she could go.
Regina hurried to hers and Robin shared room, her heart racing with anticipation, why was she suddenly so nervous, nothing would be happening between her and Emma tonight and it wasn't even the first time that she had shared a bed with the blonde, so why the nerves all of a sudden?
The answer of course lay in just how much had changed between them recently, yes she had slept in the same bed as Emma before when both of them were still hiding their budding feelings for one another, desperately trying to quash them in a hopeless attempt to protect their hearts from the devastation that would surly come from falling in love with someone whom they could never hope would love them back, at least not in the same way.
But tonight, would be the first time that they would be sharing a bed having made their feelings for one another clear and learned that they were one hundred percent reciprocated.
Sex or no sex, this was different, tonight she was going to finally be able to lie in the arms of the woman she loved knowing that she was loved back in same way and that was why her heart continued to race as she padded down the hall way clad in satin shorts and strappy top pyjama's with a small wash bag and change of clothes for the morning in hand.
Emma had already settled into bed when the soft knock sounded from the other side of the door.
"Come in" she called out then waited patiently for Regina to enter and discard the items that she was carrying.
Emma felt her own heart speeding up and heat rising in her body as she watched the beautiful brunette move around the room setting her things down, her short pyjama's displaying much more of her flesh than Emma's was accustomed to seeing.
Silky smooth olive legs, muscular from running revealed themselves from under black satin shorts, while the matching strappy low-cut top revealed a bit more cleavage than would be deemed appropriate to show in public, and Regina's slender arms, neck and shoulders were all on display. She looked stunning and Emma swallowed nervously as Regina finally approached the bed, pausing next to it when she saw Emma watching her so intently.
"Is this, okay?" she asked suddenly feeling a little self-conscious "because I can always put something less revealing on if this is too much" she added.
"Don't you dare" Emma all but purred throwing the blanket back revealing herself in grey cotton shorts paired with a white cotton tank, "You look amazing" she smiled reaching to pull Regina into the bed next to her then turning to switch off the lamp once they were both settled.
"Thank-you for this Emma" Regina murmured as she snuggled deeper in Emma's arms.
"And time" Emma smiled down at her, and they both leaned into soft lingering kiss full of love and promise.
"See" Emma murmured as they pulled apart again "nothing sordid about that".
"No there wasn't" Regina agreed letting out a wide yawn which Emma appeared to catch because she immediately came back with equally big yawn of her own, cuddled Regina in closer and let her eyes drop close.
It was heaven waking up in each other's arms the next morning, Regina had slept without the aid of medication for the first time since before her accident, she did still make sure to take her morning tablet though, she'd need medical guidance before she would even be able to begin to think about stopping those and she just wasn't ready to do that yet.
They didn't know what time to expect Robin back so they were both up early and Emma loaded her things into the bug so that Robin wouldn't be able to spot them when he got home, then came back in to spend the day with Regina and the boys.
They didn't do much, mostly relaxing around the house and garden but it was the bliss, just the four of them having so much fun together that Regina hadn't even noticed how late it was getting until she looked out of the window and saw that it was getting dark.
As she gazed at the darkening sky a confused frown marred Regina's features.
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"I was just wondering where Robin and Zelena have gotten to, they should both be home by now" she said.
"Maybe you should give them a ring" Emma shrugged.
"Good idea" Regina smiled taking out her phone and dialling Robins number first.
Twice it rang until it went to answering machine so with a frustrated sigh she gave up and called Zelena instead, she did answer on the seventh ring.
"Hi Zelena" Regina said putting on a falsely chipper voice, "I was just wondering when you'd be back".
"I'm hoping to be back in the morning, but I can't say for sure, I'm so sorry I would have called sooner but I really thought I'd be out tonight" Zelena replied sounding genuinely apologetic.
"Out? What do you mean out?" Regina asked.
"Umm, I sort of got into a bit of an accident last night" Zelena mumbled sheepishly.
"You did what?" Regina exclaimed "Well are you okay, I mean of course you're not okay, you're in the hospital, but why didn't you call and say something earlier? will you be able to look after the boys this week or do I need to take the week off?" Regina babble one question after another as she worked to comprehend what had happened and how that might immediately affect her children.
"Slow down Regina" Zelena laughed "Firstly it was nothing major, I'm fine, doctors are just keeping me in for observation and as soon as I'm out I'll be able to resume my nannying duties, I didn't call before because I genuinely thought I'd be out by now and I didn't want to worry anybody, I'm feeling kind of silly right now if I'm honest" she mumbled into the phone.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay" Regina replied and despite knowing that this woman was having an affair with her husband behind her back and helping him to try and screw her over Regina found that, that much was true, "Was anybody else involved in the accident?" she asked curiously "are they okay?".
"No, it was just me" Zelena assured her, and Regina felt even more relieved, no harm done then.
"I don't suppose you've heard from Robin today, have you?" Regina asked.
"No, why? Is he not home yet?" Zelena sounded a mixture of concerned and annoyed, but Regina didn't waste any time pondering on it.
"No, he's not and I've not heard from him all day, I only realised how late you both were when I saw that it was getting dark out and neither of you were back, I called him twice but only got his answering machine".
"Hmm, well that's odd" Zelena pondered, and Regina couldn't do anything but agree.
"Well listen, you rest up and I'll try Robin again, I'll let you know if I reach him", She said.
"Okay" Zelena replied, "Hopefully I'll see you in the morning, it might not be before you're due in work though" she added.
"It's okay I'll call John now and tell him I won't be in tomorrow, who knows maybe he's heard from my illusive husband" she sighed, said goodbye, and hung up.
"You know for someone who hates that woman's guts, you sure sounded concerned for her well-being just then" Emma chuckled as she walked up behind her and snaked her arms around Regina's slender waist.
Regina sighed contentedly and relaxed into the embrace.
"Yes, well just because I don't like her doesn't mean I want to see her get herself killed, especially not before I've got the evidence, I need to take Robin down once and for all" Regina retorted, and Emma just laughed harder her hot breath tickling Regina's ear.
"Besides Robin isn't exactly giving her what he's been promising at the moment, after all I'm still her wife while she's still just the fucking nanny remember" Regina recited Zelena's words, her own laughter mingling with Emma's.
"I suppose I should get calling John out of the way with" Regina sighed once they had come down from their momentary high.
"Do you want me to do it for you?" Emma offered squeezing Regina protectively.
"Thank-you darling that's very sweet of you" Regina purred making Emma tremble "but I should probably do it myself, I'm going to take a great deal of pleasure in quitting that damn job just as soon as I've left Robin" she added as the dialled number rang.
"God evening Mr Little, it's Regina Locksley" she said as soon as he answered, then she paused to listen.
"Yes, yes, I know its Sunday evening and I can assure you that I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important."
Then after another brief pause listening to the irate man ranting on the other end of the phone.
"I'm very sorry for disturbing you Mr Little but I wanted to give you as much notice as possible that I wouldn't be in tomorrow, I have to take care of my son you see and it's too late notice to get a babysitter."
"My nanny is in the hospital but says she'll be back tomorrow and my husband's not home yet either" she explained and the stretched silence that followed told Regina that John Little knew more about her husband's affair than he would ever let on, the bastard.
"Have you by any chance heard from Robin today?" she asked, "He stayed an extra night at the lake house, but he should have been home by now and I can't reach him".
Regina listened to her boss tell her that he hadn't heard from Robin and then she thanked him for his help and said goodbye.
"Once you've quit can I punch him" Emma asked having heard the way that John had spoken to Regina even though the phone had not been placed on loudspeaker.
"Just as long as you make sure that there are no witnesses or cameras around to catch you" Regina replied, and Emma's laughter rang out renewed only quieting when she heard the ringing tone that told her that Regina was calling Robin again and this time the speaker phone was on.
Three unanswered calls later Regina hung up and turned to look into Emma's eyes.
"What now?" she asked.
"Do you suppose that Zelena is telling the truth about where she is?" Emma asked "I mean could she still be with Robin and covering her tracks, maybe they're still at the lake house together and he's just ignoring his calls, I mean you got in touch with Zelena quickly and she would have told him that all was okay on the home front if she's with him, so he'd know by now that there wasn't an emergency to come back to" she shrugged.
"Good point" Regina pondered for a second "And I know just how to find out" she said suddenly pulling out of Emma's arms and heading to Zelena's room, grabbing a bag from the kitchen as she went.
"What are you doing?" Emma asked as she followed her into the pristinely tidy room.
"Packing her a hospital bag" Regina grinned shook the bag open and began packing a few things inside, just a clean change of clothes, nightwear for that night which was bound to be preferrable to some hospital gown with a hole in the back and a small wash bag.
"I'll just run It over for her, it's a small hospital so it won't be hard to locate her" Regina kissed Emma on the cheek as she brushed passed her packed bag in hand, "Would you mind watching the boys for me while I'm gone?"
"Not at all, I'll see you soon" Emma smiled as she saw her out and locked the door behind her.
Regina returned a little over an hour later bag dropped off and confirmation that Zelena was indeed a patient there.
"What now?" Emma asked upon her return.
Regina tried Robins phone three more times, twice it rang and the third time it cut straight to answer machine with no ringing tone before it.
"Now I think I should call the sheriff" Regina sighed, "Robin's going to be pissed if he's just sitting in the lake house ignoring me but that his own look out".
She dialled the number for the sheriff's station and phone was picked up on the second ring.
"Good evening, Sheriff, my name is Regina Locksley, and I am concerned for the well-being of my husband Robin"
"Okay Mrs Locksley" the kindly Sheriff replied, "Could you explain in a bit more detail, the exact nature of your concern".
He paused and listened to Regina's explanation.
"So, he was due home today, is that right?" he asked.
"That's right sir" Regina confirmed.
"Well, I'm afraid it's too early for me to put in a missing person's report just yet, but as it's so unusual for Mr Locksley to be so unreachable and even more worryingly his phone battery appears to have died, I'll get someone out to the last place you saw him, just to check if he's still there and okay, is that alright with you?"
"That would be brilliant, thank-you Sheriff" Regina replied.
"Now tell me Mrs Locksley."
"Regina, please call me Regina" the brunette interrupted.
"Okay Regina, do you have a spare key for your lake house? It might be an idea for the visiting officer to have one just in case Mr Locksley doesn't answer, if that's okay with you of course, that we enter the premises I mean."
"Of course," Regina replied, "No problem at all, would you like me to drop the key to the station now?"
"No, No don't trouble yourself with that, you stay with your boys, I'll send Officer Nottingham round to collect it now, he'll be the visiting officer and will head up there straight from your home, I'll let you know just as soon as we know something.
"Thank-you Sheriff, I appreciate it" Regina smiled and said her goodbyes before hanging up the phone.
Sheriff Nottingham was an average height man with a stern face, shoulder length dark shaggy hair and an equally dark well-trimmed and styled beard and moustache. He also still had a deep loathing for Robin that had him looking a little more formidable than usual as he accepted the lake-house key from Regina with a gruff thank-you, he was not pleased at all to be spending his Sunday evening driving two hours to check on the well-being of Robin bloody Locksley.
The boys were already in bed, so they had witnessed none of these events and knew nothing of their father's mysterious disappearance, Regina hadn't wanted to worry them unnecessarily, especially when she had no definite information herself yet.
"Can we go and have a lie down" she yawned turning to face Emma "It could be hours before we hear anything, and I'm exhausted, and I could really use a proper hug" she said.
"Of course," Emma smiled taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom where Regina fell asleep very quickly wrapped in Emma's arms, followed by the blonde not to long later.
Knocking on the door rudely woke them from their slumber some time later, Regina yawned, blinked, and sat up as the knocking came again. She blinked blearily at the alarm clock on the bedside table, three am why in the world was someone knocking on her door at three am?
She rolled out of bed and grabbed her robe closely followed by Emma.
"Who the hell knocks at this time" the blonde grumbled as she stumbled after Regina, both of them thinking the same, but neither of them daring to voice it.
Regina stopped to peer through the spyhole, catching sight of the Sheriff nervously wringing his hands on the other side of the door, with a slightly smug looking officer Nottingham standing behind him , well that didn't bode well she thought as she unlocked the door.
"Sorry to turn up at such a late hour as this but we felt that this should be done as soon as possible and in person" the sheriff said sounding as though he'd be rehearsing that, then evidently realising that he was still on the doorstep he cleared it voice and continued with, "Could we come in?".
"Sure" Regina replied moving to one side to permit them entry "This is my best friend Emma" Regina introduced the blonde as they passed her "She came to watch the boys for me while I ran an overnight back to the hospital for my Nanny last night and stayed to keep me company while I waited to hear news of Robin" she explained, stretching the truth rather a lot in a few places.
"Yes, well it's probably better that you aren't alone" the sheriff mumble more for himself than anybody else, then much louder "Your Nanny, would that be Miss Zelena Ozwald?" he asked pausing midstride to glance at his notes.
"That's right" Regina confirmed.
"And she's in the hospital you say, Storybrooke general I assume?"
"Yes, that's the one, she got into a bit of accident the other night and the hospital have had her in for observation, why is there a problem?"
"We just have to ask her a few questions is all, nothing for you to concern yourself with right now Mrs Locksley" he assured as he scribbled something down in his notes and continued through to the lounge.
"Now let's sit down shall we" the Sheriff instructed and even though it wasn't his home everybody did as he asked.
"There's really no easy way to tell you this Mrs Locksley, so I'll just come out and say it".
Regina not knowing what to say just waited for the Sheriff to continue with a concerned frown forming on her face.
"After your phone call last night Officer Nottingham drove to your lake house to check on Mr Locksley as we agreed that he would" he explained.
"Right and did he find him?" Regina enquired.
"He did yes, but I'm afraid that it's not good news Mrs Locksley" he said looking Regina straight in the eyes his own eyes soft and full of empathy as he reluctantly delivered the final blow.
"Robins dead Mrs Locksley."